Magical magnolias
delightful sign of the fast approaching springtime is the beginning of the blooming season for that most magnificent of plants, the magnolia.
I had a lovely visit to an estate in Waterford recently where I saw the rumblings of what is soon to be a symphony of colour.
The 70-acre gardens at Mount Congreve, which are open to the public, are situated on a wonderful site overlooking the River Suir.
The owner, the late Ambrose Congreve, was inspired by Lionel de Rothschild’s garden at Exbury in Hampshire. He developed a passion for rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias which are planted throughout the woodlands, echoing landscapes of China. One spectacular vista at Mount Congreve runs down to the river, flanked on both sides by hundreds of magnolia.
Flowering in March and April, their large pink flowers on leafless stems against a clear blue sky are a breathtaking sight. This jewel of a garden has been bequeathed to the Irish state and I’d recommend a visit. For more information, go to mountcongreve. com.
Other top spots to view them are Caerhays Castle in Cornwall, home to the national collection of magnolias, and Nymans in West Sussex.
But you don’t need to live in a grand old estate to enjoy magnolia flower power as there are many small tree/ large shrub varieties that will be suitable for the average plot. One of the most widely planted in suburbia is Magnolia soulangeana.
This is also known as the tulip magnolia and the unfurling of its cream or pink goblet-shaped flowers is part of the joyful sequence of suburban spring life, closely followed by yellow forsythia and sugar pink cherry blossoms.
Most magnolias prefer neutral to acidic soil but there are quite a few that will perform in alkaline soil and the condition of the ground may be more crucial than its pH. Before planting, enrich with plenty of organic matter. This will help retain moisture which is particularly important in late summer as the tree produces buds for the following year and drought will severely affect future flowering.
The other important consideration is where you plant – magnolias do not like to be uprooted so get it right first time if possible. Sunshine is best, shelter if possible and, of course, adequate space for it to grow to its mature size.
M. stellata is the most common choice for smaller gardens. Its beautiful pristine white flowers are composed of linear strap petals which are fragrant. It’s tolerant of lime and could be accommodated in a large container. There’s also a really pretty pink variety called ‘Rosea’, and M. Leonard Messel is a small to medium deciduous tree with very pretty lilac pink flowers, fragrant and similar in shape to M. stellata.
This magnolia will also tolerate smaller garden. It has beautiful deep red flowers towards the end of April and will mature to about three metres in height.
If you’re not keen on pink, there are some wonderful yellow varieties and, as they flower a bit later than the